Liverpool stand between Sevilla and Europa League treble

May 18, 2016, 08:32 IST
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AFP

Liverpool striker Emre Can ready to go all out to win his first trophy with the English football club in today's European final clash against defending champions Sevilla

Basel (Switzerland): Liverpool midfielder Emre Can believes the Reds' legendary battling qualities can help end their 11-year wait for a continental trophy against treble-chasing Sevilla in today's Europa League final.

Liverpool's Emre Can dribbles a ball during the EPL match against Watford at Vicarage Road in Watford last year. Pic/Getty Images

In their first European final since defeat by AC Milan in the 2007 Champions League, Liverpool are bidding to scupper the Spanish side's bid for an unprecedented third straight Europa League title at Basel's St Jakob Park.

Breathtaking journeyIt brings Liverpool's breathtaking journey through the competition under new manager Jurgen Klopp to a thrilling climax, following dramatic wins over Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal in recent months.

After seeing his side sink Villarreal brilliantly to reach the final, Klopp declared: "To go to a final you need a little bit of luck in decisive moments, but most of the time you need outstanding performances. Now, we are there, and it's a great opportunity and we will take it."

Liverpool's fans should be getting excited, but as the only team to successfully defend the trophy on two occasions, in 2007 and 2015, and with a record four UEFA Cup/Europa League titles, Sevilla are arguably under less pressure.

'Tough game'Can wants to seize his chance in his first final with the club, but says a collective show of force will be required against the tough La Liga side. "Sevilla know how to play in Europa finals," Can said. "They've won the last two Europa titles, and so it will be a tough game, but if we show what we are able to do as a team then we can win."

Can already owns losers' and winners' medals from Champions League finals, but as part of Bayern Munich the 22-year-old did not even get to lace up his boots, in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

He added: "I want to win that final and my first trophy with Liverpool. I will give my best, the team will give its best and then we want to win the game and hopefully we will do it."